I'm Cody Wilson, founder and director of Defense Distributed, and the guy trying to make 3D printed guns a reality. Ask my anything.

I'm Cody Wilson, founder and director of Defense Distributed, a non-profit organization that develops and publishes open source gun designs for 3D printing. I was recently featured in a documentary in which I discuss my political views, my ideas about gun control in America, and also where I showcase how 3D printing firearms works. Ask me anything about Defense Distributed, 3D printing guns, the future of gun control in America, the recent documentary, or anything else.

Hey Cody, I've been following Defense Distributed for some time and was happy to see you start to get some major attention.

I run a small radio show based out of the /r/anarcho_capitalism subreddit where you're a fairly hot topic (and would probably fit right in!). We're called Decline to State (http://declinefm.com). I got a bunch of people from the community together to do a cast almost a year ago now, and we've had guests on ranging from Tom Woods and Stefan Molyneux to Judge Jim Gray (libertarian VP candidate).

If you'd be interested in joining our podcast, let me know and we'll work something out. We've been hoping to have you on for a while, and now that I know you're aware of Reddit's existence, so you're on the radar!

Also, stop by /r/anarcho_capitalism and hang out with us down there. If anyone's gonna be buying your stuff, it's us.

Why do you think people are afraid of you, but not the DIY chemists who can make homemade cryogens, vitriol, explosives, and poisonous gas for harmful purposes?

As a side note, your political commentary has been a nice thing to listen to to get a break from the little child's playpen we call political correctness, so even though i do not always agree with you, thank you for helping to bring the more complicated issues into the light.

A few things, are you using 3D printing because it is a hot topic? For instance can't this same thing be done using a CNC machine to build fully functional rifles? And if you're representing the futility of prohibiting firearms, aren't there more examples to exploit such as the vast amount of guns already available?

I hear what you're saying, but no this project began as an experiment in 3D printing specifically. We didn't think it would be so big, and we aren't making claims that 3DP is the best way to do this, but it seems to be connecting with people in a new way.

We've all seen the birth and growth of the open source software movement. Do you believe you may be at the forefront of the coming open source hardware movement? If so, what do you envision for the future?

Political philosopher here. Re: questions on anarchism: there are two main branches--individualist and collectivist. Individualist anarchism wants freedom (usually) due to individual rights, while collectivist anarchists have a fundamental concern for equality in terms of wealth and domination. Anarcho-capitalists, and OP, are individualist anarchists. They share the common anti-state, pro-voluntary agreement foundation for human interaction. But collectivist anarchists focus on the domination inherent in social structures within capitalism--along the lines of Marxist exploitation and restrictions in freedom that result from being in wage-labor--while individualist anarchists only care about the state (the collectivists care about both). Libertarianism, as understood today, is rooted in individualist anarchism, while Occupy Wall Street and other on-the-ground progressive movements are more rooted in collectivist anarchist principles (especially with the combination of belief in change from below and equality) in practice.

Gun control is obviously opposed by individualist anarchists but interestingly, there's some tension in collectivist anarchist thought. In principle, they oppose all forms of coercion and see that via voluntary agreement people will come to more egalitarian and "fair" social arrangements, but given that we live within a coercive state, many collectivist anarchists endorse gun control in the name of promoting human well-being and protecting people; they think gun control would be taken up voluntarily in a collectivist anarchist society, but since we don't live in one, they seem to compromise and say we should have gun control that everyone doesn't agree to. The same is the case with social welfare. This issue of applying collectivist anarchist principles to American politics is definitely a source of tension for American collectivist anarchists.

If interested in individualist anarchism: check out Nozick, Rothbard, Hayek, and Stirner, among others I'm not that famliar with. If interested in collectivist: check out Kropotkin, Proudhon, Bookchin, or Colin Ward, among others. It's a really rich tradition that's relatively unknown, even in academia.

Not a question, just a comment. I have been following defense distributed from nearly the beginning and saw its potential as a means of providing firearms access to individuals around the world. It is truly revolutionary since these files can be transferred (nearly) instantaneously to every corner of the globe. It diffuses power from centralized government or rogue states to individuals, creating a world where individuals will no longer live according to the whims of others.

There's a thread of disdain that runs through a lot of the commentary online about you. People basically see you as a weirdo loner: a guy who's a law student but doesn't really go to law classes (not that that's rare), who has no friends, and displays no interest in anything beyond the printable gun project. So: do you have friends that aren't 3D guns or somehow associated with the 3D project broadly understood? What do you do to have fun? Why are you bothering to finish a law degree?

I think there's an interest in painting me as a marginal and lone figure to explain me away, but this just isn't accurate. I'm an affable guy. Class president in high school and college. You might like me if you met me.

But I'm still happy to let that lone weirdo thing stay out there. Spooking progressives is valuable.

It's been possible to make AR lower receivers at home (with an equipped metal-working shop) for decades- milling it from a block of steel. Takes more work than 3D printing it, though.

The big revolution isn't that it is now possible to make your own weapons. That's been true for a long time. What's important is that it is now easier (less investment of time, money, and skill) than ever before- I think a lot of people aren't really aware that this is the change your work is bringing.

Do ya think people have a different conception of 3D printed weapons, given the fact that they are don't know it's been possible to make your own weapons for decades? How do you think they react differently?

I don't think there's a direct personal advantage in printing a gun versus making or purchasing a traditional one. Printed guns aren't even proven technology, and are extremely impractical devices from my experience. But there is a symbolic advantage to the individual in being at least capable of printing one.

What is your objective, overall? (I know others have danced around this question but it's still not clear to me.) Is it simply to demonstrate the limitations of this legal regime of control (which are similar to the limitations of any legal regime of control), or do you want to turn this into something that will make you money once the demonstration is complete, or what?

I don't see a clear path to money, to be honest. And the goal is more strict than you would think- we want it to be true statement that a firearm is printable. Turns out this takes a lot of work, and we've only just got the license to begin trying.

In the interview where Glenn Beck gets frustrated at not being able to corner you politically you used the phrase "the self under siege". Did you take this idea from Rick Roderick and if so has he been an influence on you?

Would you consider making illegal designs and spreading them anonymously through torrents, darknet etc? You know, if this all gets illegal too fast, or if you are overcome with a desire to design silencers without a license or, shit, even automatic firearms?

I believe you've referred to aspects of the project as revolutionary in nature. Do you make any sort of distinction between a traditionally physical act of revolution involving a physical overthrow of an established power structure (to whatever degree is irrelevant) verses the technologically-driven process of decentralized human empowerment?

In other words - because DefDist involves enabling people to utilize emerging technology rather than some sort of physical resistance, is there any sort of valid distinction to be made? Is it even the same thing at all?

Also - just want to let you know that I really appreciate what you're doing and where you're coming from.

I've been following defcad.org for a few months now and have seen a few of your interviews. What I find most interesting about what you are doing is how it isn't so much about just "3d printable receivers/firearms" as it is an ideology of true freedom of information and the empowerment that can have. I truly applaud what you are doing!

Your philosophy video on youtube was very interesting and enjoyable to watch. You seem to be erudite and well read with an eclectic library of philosophy and literature. You read from Anthony de Jasay to Slavoj Zizek and everything in between. What draws you to read certain literature/philosophers (also recommend ones you would deem essential)? Why do you also seem muted about your philosophy when doing interviews?

What would you think if people started printing your gun/accessory designs en masse and selling them for profit? (Federal licensing aside). Would you be happy that they were being proliferated or would you want some kind of compensation?

I don't see a clear oppositional group forming. Anti-gunners have the same responses as ever, and so they're essentially not engaging. Congresspeople think the internet is a series of tubes and so are in disbelief or are disinterested.

Why haven't you (or have you) tried to print a .22LR suppressor ? You can easily try different baffle designs. Is current low-end 3D printing technology good enough to print threads that can screw directly onto a threaded barrel ?

I completely support everything you are planning on doing. Besides further financial donations, how can I help? I also noticed on Alex Jones you hinted about a fully functional gun that might be happening within a month. Care to share anymore details?

Materials development is so expensive, we're just not in a place to be those people. But I have got access to some experimental materials that are rolling out... Metal does seem to be a mental roadblock for some people. Why shouldn't we be excited about new materials families?

I know it's got shit-all to do with the political statement of making lower receivers easily accessible for everyone to create in their home, but have you ever thought of expanding this kind of technology for other things? In the realm of airsoft and paintball, I mean. Stuff for shits and giggles.

And while I'm here I'd like to say that this idea is pretty awesome and I hope you guys get an entire rifle out there pretty soon.

Engineering related question: thus far you've made parts for existing firearms patterns like the AR-15... however, wouldn't it make sense to build a firearm which can make the most of the strengths of a 3D printed material? Designed in such a way to reduce stresses and improve longevity and durability?

I believe that as long as you are going to try to replicate existing firearms which rely on other materials, you won't be tapping the potential of building one from the ground up to be 3D printed.

For example: a 3D printed handgun that can use existing barrels (like a Glock barrel), and action, and 3D printed magazines.

Yes, the project is actually all about a printable gun- not replicating existing platforms. But while we waited for our license to come through, we wanted to make important demonstrations during the gun control debate.

Depends on who's writing. And "practical" is a slippery term isn't it? The jury remains out on printed guns as well. Only a few people are in a position in this country to do it legally. Let's wait just a bit.

I'm actually writing a research paper over this topic for my college composition class. So, my question to you is this: How do you think 3D printed weapons will affect American gun laws? Do you think there will be massive uproars against these weapons due to the Sandy Hook and Newtown shootings? Thank you so very much for this AMA!

Massive uproar if there can be a successful media event surrounding use of a printed gun- definitely enough to pass a regulation or law.

But the Undetectable Firearms Act likely governs printed guns already. I wonder what will happen. I think macroeconomic trends are pointing toward real problems for enforcing even the current gun laws.

I understand your point, but you kind of seem like a douche. What, exactly, are you trying to prove? How does going public with all this shit under your real name and getting a federal firearms permit jibe with your "crypto-anarchy"?

Being uncompromising and douchy is, to be honest, a decision I made early about the personality I thought this project should have. Unapologetic, open to discourse sure, but contemptuous of politicians in the extreme.

I sort of admire that in a way, and you're obviously very bright. But you've already proven your original point. Why not move on to something more productive? I say this as one asshole to another. Game recognize game.

I think the Senate is about to sell you out on "comprehensive background checks." Just another expansion of the panopticon. Your documentary individuation continues as slowly everything interesting you own and do is written down somewhere.

I'm a college student in the Bay Area, what can I do to help you? I don't own a printer so I have to use the ones at various hackerspaces. I do, however, help run an alternative advertising agency (thats a fancy way of saying illegal graffiti advertising, I guess) and we try to promote shit we think will change the world in a good way.

Whether or not I can help you out, I think what you're doing is incredible. Have you heard of CamOver, and do you have an opinion on it?

Is it cost effective to 3d print a lower or magazine? What kind of msrp would be seen and if it were to be sold through other retailers what online prices would we see (about 5% markup would be right)?

Your printed lower can't be made on a low cost extrusion based printer like a makerbot. I've been toying with the idea of using my printer to to print a mold, and casting a lower out of a plastic resin. Do you think this is feasible?

I work at a company that does 3D printing (FDM and SLA) and recently I was asked to quote on extended magazines for a customer, I declined for a few reasons; one, I didn't want additive manufacturing like FDM or SLA to be tarnished on the news and have a negative view brought upon it, and two, I would be devastated to know something I grew turned out to be used to hurt others. What are your thoughts on this?

Well, heavy assumptions involved there. "Tarnish" is not the word I would use, but I don't share a sense ownership or responsibility in the industry like you must. But it seems you may also be motivated by social/industry expectations.

We print magazines on SLA machines all the time for people. It's legal in Texas. It's your right.